Finished another 2-page spread in my Nature Journal on Periscope

I finally finished another two page spread in my nature journal from the Summer Watercolors in the North Cascades workshop that I taught June 16-18. I was hoping to visit a little with any of the participants who might drop in while I broadcast the demonstration of the deer and hummingbird. See the Flickr album here.

This time I used my iPhone and could see if people were logging on as well as any comments while broadcasting. Here's the finished two page spread after adding some narrative to the live demonstration on Periscope today.

The following photos show each stage of development that lead up to the final result.

The additional watercolors and a few headlines on today's periscope.tv/michelecoopart 

I added pencil sketches of the deer to my 9 minute scope from last Wednesday. 

The page began with details about weather and a quick sketch before lunch of all the tech involved to get my presentation up and running. The presentation turned out great. And right on time!

Periscope Demo Today, Tomatoes

How many colors does it take to paint a tomato? Let's find out!

Live demo and discussion of watercolors used to paint tomatoes. 

Today I did a live broadcast on painting a plate of thickly sliced Roma tomatoes. Watch the replay at periscope.tv/michelecoopart.

Here's the result of my live demonstration in watercolor. 

Candy from a stranger

Would you? Take candy from a stranger? And then follow them to another location out of curiosity?
Sounds like the plot from a horror film. And yet.......

I realize this seems like a lure, but I promise, no malware lurking while I paint something sweet on Periscope today.

That's what happens all the time on social media. A common malady on today's social media is "comment spam". Has this happened to you:

You open your blog and see that you have a new comment or two. As you start reading a compliment about your content, images, etc. you begin to feel gratified that someone has taken the time to communicate their appreciation. Then annoyance and disappointment set in. There are two suspicious links and a request to visit their website for thousands of free followers on your Instagram or blog. It's a little like taking candy from a stranger. Don't click the links in the comments!


Up until now, I have allowed anyone to post their comments here immediately. Recently I have received a few manageable comment spams which I delete as soon as I see them. But to avoid wasted time and energy, I need to be able to manage them effectively.

 Therefore, I am putting a protective measure into place. I will set my comments to moderation. For a short while, you will need to fill in the secret wobbly letters or numbers to prove that you are a real person, not a spam robot. Please take the time to go through this extra step, just for a while until the robots go away.

Your comments matter. There’s no doubt about it. I particularly enjoy reading what you have to say on any particular blog post here.  I want you to feel that my site is a safe place to be. And I want to know what you are thinking. I am energized and invigorated from reading legitimate remarks from real people like you – engaged readers adding thoughtful and insightful discussion to my content.


Don't worry about my links in these blog posts. They are safe. Just don't click links in readers' emails or tempting sales websites in their comments. Meanwhile, you can always comment on my Instagram posts where blocking spammers is easy and there are no problems for readers who want to comment.

Now. Who wants chocolate? What's your favorite candy? Watch my periscope.tv/michelecoopart today at 4:30 Pacific Time while I paint a sweet watercolor demonstration.

Yesterday's Drybrush Demo on Periscope

It was fun demonstrating live yesterday afternoon on periscope.tv/michelecoopart 

We had people from Camano Island to Seattle to Virginia to New Zealand watching as I shared some tips on drybrush technique in watercolor. If you missed it, you can still watch the replay.

I enjoyed sharing the process of discovery as I played with a granulating, low chroma palette of Daniel Smith colors. For those who asked, the easel I used can be viewed here.

Thanks again for watching!

"Snowline"--Original Watercolor by Michele Cooper (8x10" on Arches 140lb Rough)

I was inspired by this photo from the North Cascads Institute Instagram. 

A sunset series Inspired by color

I painted this sunset live on periscope.tv/michelecoopart about an hour ago. I wanted to experiment with some new Daniel Smith watercolors. The colors are listed as the Shirley Trevena set.

Earlier, in my morning class at the gallery, I combined some of the new colors with some of my own in this demonstration.

I think it's a good idea to work in a series as you experiment with new colors, comparing their properties to those of your accustomed pigments.

I never copy a photo reference. It is sadly lacking, compared to the real thing. However, this photo is what inspired my ongoing sunset series.

Periscope demo today

It's always fun sharing a little time in the studio with creatives from Seattle to Switzerland. Thanks for watching! Watch the replay here. 

Inspired by a scene in the Scottish Highlands. 

Periscope Broadcast Live on Thursday

I got a bunch of orders back from Amazon and can't wait to share them with you. Come on over to my live broadcast Thursday afternoon for some surprises and experiments in watercolor!

Probably will do this around 2:30 or 3:00 unless art interrupts life!
Watch on periscope/michelecoopart 

Artist's Model by Day, Salad by Night

My Periscope broadcast this afternoon was about red pigments in watercolor with a quick live demonstration of a "personal size" watermelon. 

And then I made a watermelon feta salad with fresh mint from the garden and homemade balsamic dressing!

Nice Day for a Mow

If yesterday was gorgeous, then today was phenomenal! Spring is here! I had a lot of errands to run after teaching my class this morning, so I barely made it home in time for my Thursday afternoon Periscope. I got all set up, but the entire neighborhood was mowing their lawns! It sounded like a scene from a WWII airfield!

Eerily, they all stopped at once and I could proceed with a live watercolor demo of my iced green apple lemonade with frozen blackberries, and a sprig of mint. I got a lot of great suggestions for additional ingredients, too!

Cheers!

If you missed it live, watch the replay on periscope.tv/michelecoopart or Katch.me/michelecoopart 

How to make Your Own Accordion Sketchbook-Quick and Easy

Would you like to record a day in the garden with your watercolors? How about sketching in an accordion or concertina sketchbook that you made yourself? Watch my tutorial live on Periscope.tv/michelecoopart or catch the replay here on Katch.

Impromptu Visit to the Garden for Sunshine and Tulips

Come on out to the 70 degree sunshine on the deck where I made a 5 minute Periscope today. It's tulip time in the Pacific Northwest. Surprise! There's a tulip watercolor for you, too.

Catch the replay here on Periscope or here on Katch.

Watercolor Postcard-Water and Reflections on Periscope

Here's my desk after today's live demonstration on periscope.tv/michelecoopart  Replay available for 24 hours. And you can still leave hearts if you like! :)

This is a bit of a sample of some things we covered in class today. How to adjust the composition, using a value study, following the value plan instead of a photo. Oh, and some tips on setting up a simple travel kit to use on the train, plane, road trip, etc.

Great group of viewers today, with good questions! I trust this will encourage you all to give watercolor sketching a try. :)

Update: If you missed the 24 hour window of opportunity to view replay on Periscope, please go to  see the replay now at Katch.me/michelecoopart.

Grilled Cheese Sourdough and Tomato Basil Soup for Lunch Sketch

I just finished my Coffee Break Sketch live on Periscope. I finally got to eat my lunch! Although I had to microwave it to heat it up again, the toast still made a satisfying crunch around the melted cheese.

So much fun, sketching and chatting with old friends and new. Thanks for watching! See you all tomorrow at 4:30 pm Pacific time. Bring your old Kindle cases and make a sketchbook. 

Most Delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwiches on the planet. How's that for a batch of great lunch ideas?

Lunchtime Artscope Wednesday at Noon

What's for lunch? Log on Periscope.tv/michelecoopart and find out while I sketch.

Watercolor Greys from the Altoids Mini Palette

After demonstrating how to mix warm, cool and neutral greys from a limited palette, I used them for this little watercolor post card. Periscope.tv/michelecoopart 

If you missed it, catch the replay here on Katch. 

Mixing Greys in Watercolor Live on Periscope Thursday

Boston Cream Pie for Dessert

Thanks for joining me for a Coffee Break Sketch at noon today on Periscope.tv/michelecoopart 

It was lovely, chatting, sketching and visiting with people from all over the world today.

I always have the goal to take only 15 or 20 minutes for these quick sketches, but the conversation is so interesting that I end up slowing down. :) Still, if I missed any of your questions or comments, you can ask me here or on Instagram

See any broadcasts you may have missed on Katch.me/michelecoopart

Lunch Break Sketching-What's for Dessert?

Join us and find out what's for dessert!

Attacked by Squirrels!

I'm working out my anger issues against the wild gang of squirrels in our back yard. Sketching the crime victims seems to help. This was an impromptu Periscope broadcast just now, so you can catch it on replay until it expires tomorrow.  periscope.tv/michelecoopart

After signing off air, I finished up the crocus sketch by adding the bedraggled, wilted flower, a crucial part of the post mortem evidence!

Mixing Greens in Watercolor

Join me live on periscope.tv/michelecoopart Thursday, March 3 at 4:30 pm Pacific time for some tips on mixing greens using your limited palette travel kit. Watch the demonstration, ask questions, chat.